Lunging and biting at brushing time suddenly

[Boston's Mama]

Boston today charged lunged and bit suddenly when being groomed by my other half , I assumed maybe it was too rough or at his back end ( sometimes he needs warning with his eye sight ) but apparently it was none of the above. He’s been groomed by both of us lots over the year and he’s used to it and other half knows right way to approach him and how to groom him. It makes no sense to me.
Gave Boston a break then I tried , same thing! He freaked me out too which I was not going to give him that reaction so he didn’t achieve his desired goal in that moment – but it was scary lol

After a hour I went back to his pen and stroked him and feed him etc and he was fine
( brush away of course )

Any tips ?

[Wick & Fable]

Any signs of discomfort or pain from Boston?

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Boston's Mama]

Nope he’s pooping and eating and acting normal other than when brush comes out then it’s lunging straight away

[jerseygirl]

Is he currently moulting or is brushing just something regularly do with him?
Some rabbits can get kinda grumpy right before and during a moult. One of our members in the past used to refer to it as PMS – Pre Moult Syndrome.
Has he ever had a big moult?

[Boston's Mama]

Nope he’s never had a big moult , he doesn’t lose much fur but recently he did start leaving a bit more around but nothing like my past rabbits would in a moult. He’s not long coated either.

I brush regularly as other half has allergies to both his fur ( though likely it’s the saliva from him licking his fur I believe after some allergy reading )
And to his hay.
So I brush him once a fortnight or so- not that much comes off but figured it may help.

Thinking about it further maybe it’s because we brushed him in his pen this time … he’s been known at times in the past to go through patches of food aggression – maybe he his a tad cage protective too (?)
Usually I brush him on my knee or down the hallway ( to prevent the fur annoying other half’s allergies )

[Author]

Messages